Non-Fiction sales are rockin’ on Amazon and other retailers but books sales is not where you’re going to make your “longtail” money. It’s all about how you serve your readers AFTER the book. So how do you do this effectively? That’s where the term “back matter” comes in to play.
Back matter is the portion of your book that comes directly after the final chapter of your book and it is absolutely essential to any nonfiction author. This is where you can place a plethora of information that will lead your readers into taking the next step. Here are some examples of information you can place in your back matter so that your reader becomes a life long fan.
1. About the author – Place a short bio here so readers can learn more about you and your credentials.
2. Other books by this author – The reader just finished your book and is craving more from you. Tell them about your other books. If you have a book on preorder, let them know the preorder is available at select retailers (Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble and Kobo).
3. Connect with the Author – The reader loved your book, they think you’re AWESOME, and they want to connect with you. Add your active links for Facebook, Twitter, your blog, your website, and your mailing list. Once a reader connects with you via social media, they can start to get to know you and appreciate your super-awesomeness on an entirely new level. It’s an opportunity for you to start a long term relationship building process that can help casual readers become fans, and help fans grow to become super fans.
4. Sample chapters of other books – Give them excerpts of your other books with an order link at the end.
5. Special Free Gift – Many authors provide a special downloadable free gift at the end of their books for readers. A downloadable action guide, to-do list, or other free book is a great list builder.
Lisa Angelettie
Latest posts by Lisa Angelettie (see all)
- Back Matter 101: How To Add Killer Call To Actions To Your Books - August 3, 2015
- Shelfari Is No Longer An Option In Author Central - July 28, 2015
- What Are The Most Well-Read Cities In America? - June 2, 2015
I enjoyed reading this short article on “Killer Call to Actions” for your book…aka my book. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi!
Really Very Interesting blog.
Awesome blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew
of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about here?
I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get opinions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Appreciate it!
I suggest that the link to your website is arguably the most important detail you can include. Make sure it’s prominently displayed in more than one place.
Just in the process of publishing my book, this article was very useful.
Great article thanks… in the process of writing a book right now and didn’t realise the value of calls to action
What’s up friends, pleasant piece of writing and pleasant urging commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.
I didn’t realize a call to action would work in a book as opposed to advertising. Clever thinking. Can you recommend how a new author would get started to find a way to publish?
Nice piece of writing and pleasant urging commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.
thanks
Nice post mate
keep going on buddy
very useful article thank you very much to provide me that information
Great post.
Thanks for sharing. Such simple but overlooked ideas.
I will look to include sample chapters and also a bio.
A bio is something i never wanted to include as i never like to sell myself and feel it should be about the content.
but, moving forward i feel that this would help connect me more with readers.
Thanks very much!!
Hello,
Thanks for sharing those tips. I’m sure every author would find them useful.
I really like how you kept it simple and straight, yet full of facts.
Hello Lisa,
To give a gift is a very good idea that usually brings very good results.
Good post!
Hi Lisa,
This is what we call “Short & Sweet”. I am planning to publish a ebook and i loved your idea of Special free gift.
Great post.
Thanks for sharing. Such simple but overlooked ideas.
I will look to include sample chapters and also a bio.
A bio is something i never wanted to include as i never like to sell myself and feel it should be about the content.
i have been blogging for sometime but never tried writing a book about the topics which i already know and blog about. Does book writing requires any special skill other than producing quality content? I would love to know more from you about book writing.
Thanks.
i have been blogging for sometime but never tried writing a book about the topics which i already know and blog about.
Very useful article.
Love your idea.
Always thought a blogger would be doing something like this, adding a call to action, but even in case of book, though makes complete sense in case of an author who is yet to make it big, keeping readers engaged and informed seems to be the perfect idea to keep the readers with them.
Thanks for such a nice blog post….i was searching for something like that.
????????
Great post.
very useful article thank you very much to provide us such article..
Great post. Even I’m planning to add a book section to my gift store, and all of these tips will surely help me I believe. Thanks for sharing your knowledge that will all the new comers like me.
Hi Lisa,
These really great tips for new book writers. Those tips are also well connected with bloggers. Online presence is very important now-a-days to popularize and market any product. I like your blog posts, short, simple and informative.
Thanks for sharing.
Reji Stephenson
great post.Those tips are also well connected
thanku so much
There are excellent suggestions listed here! I’ve always enjoyed sample chapters of other books.
Thanks for sharing it with us
hi, its a awesome article, thanks for sharing it
Many thanks from Paris for your great blog !
Anna
HI, very nice article
Thank You for posting keep up the good work.
Most Useful information, thanks for the post. I like the idea of giving them excerpts.
I started to create a book on the Kindle Publishing Platform and have been at it since April of this year titled : Digital Automated Profits which is a consummate guide on how to automate a website or blog for income building.
Due to distractions I’ve been unable to write the 13th of the 25 chapters as planned.
I believe there is a misconceived perception by many when it comes to using the internet as a medium to put your business or product message out there – it’s complicated and prospects are misguided due to the capacity of hustlers to advertise their wares with investors funds backing their pitch so they are able to acquiesce thousands of subscribers through the use of generating subscribers from high price solo ad promoters.
My aim is to get the real truth out there and to get prospects not to fall into the hustle mentality as this while its good for your pocket in the short-term it will eventually ruin your reputation.
I will continue to glean the valuable information made available from this blog as I believe there are some real gems to be discovered here,.
Excellent post Georgi. Super point on scaling too. 10 years ago I paid $4 a month for hosting. Nobody read my blog LOL. Today I am on a VPS and pay more to handle my blog traffic.
Great post.
Thanks for sharing. Such simple but overlooked ideas.
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things,
so I am going to convey her.
???????? seo ????????? ??????????? ?????, ???????? ?????? ?? ??????????? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????????? ? ????? ????? pokras7777????????? ????? ??? ????
.??? ?? ???????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ??????
I’m loving visiting and reading your content, they are always the best!
It’s awesome to visit this site and reading
the views of all friends about this paragraph, while I
am also eager of getting know-how.
Nice and helpful Post thank you
This is an informative site.Thankyou foryour site.
Hey,
I am new to your site and I visit your site and know about your great content thank you for this amazing content. just keep it up. Highly Appreciated.
Thanks for the information.
These are great tips, and the main thing is that they work. For example, by leaving a “gift” in a book or article – downloading an app or a bonus – you increase your chances! Thank you!!
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!